Paul Lambert is ready to offer rising Aston Villa stars Matthew Lowton and
Ashley Westwood new contracts in another move to keep his emerging squad
together.

Lowton and Westwood both arrived last summer from League One clubs Sheffield United and Crewe Alexandra respectively and will be rewarded after impressive first seasons in the Premier League.

Lambert, the Aston Villa manager, is determined to build the foundations for the future and has made keeping £25 million rated forward Christian Benteke a top priority, with negotiations expected to begin once Villa's Premier League future is secured.

Villa are also set to initiate fresh talks with Andreas Weimann, who has 12 months remaining on his current deal after this campaign and is keen to stay.

And Lambert has revealed that Lowton, a £3 million signing from United, and Westwood, who cost just £750,000, are also in line for new deals.

He said: "We’ve still got to get over the line and stay in the league but improved contract are something at the end of the season that we would look at.

"There’s a few lads who you think, you’ve done really really well and Matty’s definitely one of them.

"You’re never quite sure which other clubs will have looked at him at Sheffield United, but you’ve just got to have your belief that it’s going to work. If you don’t give them an opportunity, how do you know how good they are?"

Benteke is Villa's prized asset after a stunning first season in English football, with his 17-minute hat-trick against Sunderland taking him to 22 goals.

The Belgium international has scored more goals in just nine months than Mario Balotelli managed in two-and-a-half years at Manchester City, and Lambert has admitted his price tag has rocketed.

"Christian is not the finished article by any means but hopefully he can score a few more goals before the end of the season," he said.

"We look through the European leagues and he has been a massive player but I couldn’t tell you what his value is. He has been fantastic.

"I have a good relationship with him and don’t put any pressure on him, the main thing is to get him through the next three games."

Villa have won four of their last seven games and Lambert can take another substantial step towards safety with a victory at former club Norwich City on Saturday.